Scottie Pippen for Chicago Coach?

Larry Bird never coached before he led the Indiana Pacers to the NBA Finals.

Pat Riley was briefly a Lakers assistant but primarily a broadcaster before becoming one of the most decorated coaches in NBA history.

Isiah Thomas never had coached, and while it’s not going well for him now in New York, he had three productive seasons in his first coaching job with the Indiana Pacers.

Don Nelson was an assistant coach in Milwaukee for two months before beginning what should be a Hall of Fame career.

Doug Collins was briefly an Arizona State recruiting assistant before coming to the Bulls. Doc Rivers never coached before being named NBA coach of the year in his rookie season in Orlando. Avery Johnson was on Nelson’s staff less than one season before taking over as head coach and taking the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals and being named coach of the year.